Subwoofer on classic stereo?

[Pstallo]

I am not exactly a car stereophile but am experimenting with a classic blaupunkt stereo. The modern stereo that was in the car had a sub out wire. The old stereo doesn't.

I have currently run wires from the stereo to a cheap amp in the frunk and back to four 4 inch speakers.

What is the typical method to wire in a subwoofer. Do more expensive amps have a sub out or do I have to install a crossover first or something?

[Puma]

I've never heard of anyone putting a sub in a 911 but if you want to do it then realize that unless it's a powered sub (has an amp inside it) you'll have to also install an external amp. You can easily fry your electrical system with this stuff so take it to a pro to have it done.

Be sure to weigh this stuff beforehand and realize you're putting very heavy weights in the car, especially if you put it in the back seat you will feel it and not in a good way. I don't berate you for doing what you want, I just don't know why you'd want to? A sub and amp might weigh about fifty pounds?

I remember 80's audio company ads "David Sanborn only uses Alpine whatever in his Porsche because he's a pompous audiophile..." and thinking about how loud my Dad's car was "How on earth does he hear it?"

[JK930]

to add a subwoofer to any radio is possible.

you will need to purchase a loc line output convertor
aka. hi/lo adapter a decent one from pac cost $20.

this device allows you to tap into the rear output (rear speaker wires)of the classic radio. then it converts the signal to a low level output RCA connects.

from there run your RCA cable (left and right) to a mono block subwoofer amplifier. along with a battery 12 volt lead 8 gauge. a good ground 8 gauge as well. and a remote turn on wire 18gauge from the radios power antenna turn on circuit or a switched 12 volt accessory location.

kicker makes a nice small in size about 8inch by 10 inch sub amp. cx300.1 the cost about $165. mount it under the seat.

it has its own built in crossover to tune the bass frequency and power output to level out with the rest of your system.

it will change you listening experience from nice to wow

hope i answered you question
anything else feel free to ask

[Slanski62]

I had a self-powered sub installed. It fits under the passenger seat. The output it limited because it's rather small for a sub. But it's better than nothing.

[Gordo2]

I added an under-seat to my stereo, but it was with a new head unit that had sub outputs, and pre-amp outputs (RCA jacks).

Meanwhile the sub that I used could be connected to a head unit that had a sub output, or to an older head unit that only had speaker wire (line) outputs.

I assume most self-amplified subs can be configured for either input (sub or line).

I also bought an external amp that had the same option (could take pre-amp inputs or line outputs that would normally go directly to the speakers).

Bottom line - I think you can connect an amplified sub to your head unit without any additional components.

Good luck,

Gordo

[NYNick]

I put this under the passenger seat of my 78SC. It delivers plenty of bass for me but not the teeth rattling, twenty something, rice burner thump thump thump that pulls up next to you and wants to race. No one even knows it's there. It's the size of a hard cover novel. We used velcro instead of screws to secure it.

My Sony head unit had subwoofer plugs, so it was a piece of cake.

Kenwood KSC-SW11

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by Slanski62

I had a self-powered sub installed. It fits under the passenger seat. The output it limited because it's rather small for a sub. But it's better than nothing.

+3, a major improvement over stand door and deck speakers. I have the JVC under seat self-powered unit. Not as good as a amp powered but heck not bad for a 30+ year old car , youngster always get a kick when I push the sub on and their butt start to vibrate :-) and goes boooooooom.

[Cajundaddy]

Anything can be done but there are many ways to get great bass response. A sub is one way, adding quality door speakers that have good response down to 50hz is another. Not really much music happening below that.

[Joe Bob]

I have one in my trunk.

[vesnyder]

I have a self powered sub in my trunk. It is the Infinity BassLink. It takes up some valuable room in my trunk but sounds great.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Can someone post pictures of their sub-woofer in a 911. I've never seen this before. Did you dynomat any parts and is this sound quality decent?


-Dmitry

[rolfjahn]

Dynamat! I always use it, but I rip everything out of my car for weight

I always get laughed at by my friends and the Purists

My Audio always sounds better than anyone else's

And I'm past caring what other people think...

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Dynamat is def. the way to go. I remember my high school days using it to line my car so everything wouldn't rattle from the JL W3v2s I believe...


-Dmitry

[willtel]

I put a 10 in a sealed enclosure behind the passenger seat.

IMG_8185 by willtel, on Flickr

IMG_8214 by willtel, on Flickr

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Thanks for sharing willtel, super clean looking install


-Dmitry